Exploring raindrops and clouds in preschool

Here is just one way to bring weather concepts to life in your classroom!

In our morning greeting, the weather helper informed us that today’s weather was definitely going to be cold and rainy. It was a perfect day to explore raindrops and clouds at our rain making station.

 

Here’s a tip… Let them play in the rain!

Setting Up the Rain Station

As an extension of our discussions on Who Cares about the Weather?, we added a rain station to one of our tables. To set up our rain making station, I put cotton balls in one container and labeled it “clouds” and blue water in the second container and labeled it “rain.” The center naturally invited the children to use the cotton ball clouds to absorb the blue rain water and then squeeze the rain out of the clouds and back into the tub.

Building Fine Motor Skills

The children went right to work using our wooden tongs or their hands to pick up cotton ball clouds and soaking them in our blue rain water.

Expanding Weather Vocabulary

As the children explored the clouds and rainwater, we would stop by and talk with them about the words that were on the containers “rain” and “clouds” and promote discussion about how the children were using the cotton balls like “clouds” to absorb water and making their own rain as they squeeze all the water back out of the clouds.

Exploring Cause and Effect

The children came and went from the rain-making station all morning.

Enjoying the Sensory Experience

Sometimes we would have a large group gathered around having fun talking and laughing together and other times we would just have one or two children concentrating on the rain making experience.

Why we Love the Rain Making Station

This was such a simple process to put together and yet it was highly engaging and opened the door to great conversations about clouds and rain. The children used their fine motor skills to manipulate the clouds and squeeze the water and in the process, enjoyed the soothing experience of water play.

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Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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